Independent Newspapers in Cape Town launched a monthly niche publication aimed at Cape Town's gay and lesbian readership this week called The Pink Tongue.

With a print run of 15 000 it would be distributed to selected vendors throughout the city and aimed to give gay and lesbian readers a "non-trashy" read, Sandy Naude, advertising and marketing director for Independent Newspapers in Cape Town, told Sapa.

It would be edited by Gary de Klerk, the former editor of City Life, using freelancers for its features, motoring, cooking and entertainment section.

It would be printed in Cape Town on envirotex paper, giving it a glossier finish than ordinary newspapers and, if successful, might be launched nationally.

Naude, who initiated the idea for the newspaper, said it would not be about "steam rooms, gay dating and HIV-positive people".

Rather it would fill a gap for a more stylish platform.

Advertising support had been good for the first issue, launched on Wednesday, and feedback had been positive.

She was pleased that the company Cape Town general manager, Ishmet Davidson, had given the go-ahead for the newspaper.

It was also supported by the Triangle Project who Naude consulted about the idea.

Speaking on behalf of the Triangle Project, media co-ordinator Vista Kalipa said, "Triangle Project is proud to endorse The Pink Tongue, as a newspaper that will carry out a strong message of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community to the broader community." - Sapa